Respite Care in DeKalb, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in DeKalb, IL: the local picture

4,472

residents 65 or older (11% of DeKalb)

63%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in DeKalb County)

24

Medicare-certified hospices serve DeKalb ZIP codes

Most older adults in DeKalb live with someone: 63% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 1,306 DeKalb residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (28% in DeKalb County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 24 hospices serving DeKalb ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

DeKalb compared with DeKalb County and Illinois

Census figure	DeKalb	DeKalb County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	11%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.6%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.4%	10%
Households with no vehicle	9.9%	6.4%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$55,079	$64,446	—

Older residents in towns around DeKalb

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cortland, IL	3.1 mi	360	35%
Sycamore, IL	5.9 mi	2,459	20%
Genoa, IL	12 mi	769	16%
Elburn, IL	15 mi	817	16%
Rochelle, IL	16 mi	1,474	44%
Campton Hills, IL	17 mi	1,893	14%

Hospices serving DeKalb

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassus-Chicago	Dekalb, IL	1.9 mi	(815) 220-1390
Unity Hospice Of Western Illinois	Rochelle, IL	17 mi	(815) 561-8866
Solace Hospice & Palliative Care Inc	St Charles, IL	18 mi	(847) 250-5036
Mo Chara Hospice LLC	Cherry Valley, IL	23 mi	(847) 275-9510
Divine Hospice & Palliative Care LLC	Yorkville, IL	25 mi	(630) 553-8500

Nursing homes near DeKalb (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Aperion Care Dekalb	Dekalb, IL	1.0 mi	2 of 5	119	(815) 758-8151
Dekalb County Rehab & Nursing	Dekalb, IL	2.3 mi	4 of 5	190	(815) 758-2477
Oak Crest	Dekalb, IL	2.7 mi	4 of 5	17	(815) 756-8461
Bethany Rehab & Hcc	Dekalb, IL	2.9 mi	1 of 5	90	(815) 756-5526

Straight-line miles from the center of DeKalb. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in DeKalb

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,590 monthly median income of DeKalb households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in DeKalb: common questions

Which hospices serve DeKalb?

Medicare lists 24 hospices for DeKalb ZIP codes, including Compassus-Chicago, Unity Hospice Of Western Illinois, Solace Hospice & Palliative Care Inc.

How much does respite care cost in DeKalb?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,590 monthly median income of DeKalb households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve DeKalb. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Illinois.

More near DeKalb

More senior care near DeKalb

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in DeKalb

More for DeKalb families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Respite Care in DeKalb, IL